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MCP Setup Guide - Claude Desktop Integration

Connect Kagura to Claude Desktop in 2 minutes

This guide shows how to integrate Kagura's universal memory with Claude Desktop using the Model Context Protocol (MCP).

📋 Prerequisites

  • Kagura AI v4.0+ installed
  • Claude Desktop (supports MCP)

Kagura can automatically configure Claude Desktop for you:

# Install Kagura MCP server to Claude Desktop
kagura mcp install

Output: 

✅ Successfully installed!

Configuration:
  Server name: kagura-memory
  Command: kagura mcp serve
  Config file: ~/.config/claude/claude_desktop_config.json

Next steps:
  1. Restart Claude Desktop
  2. Start a new conversation
  3. Try: 'Remember that I prefer Python'

That's it! Kagura is now connected to Claude Desktop.

🔧 Manual Setup (Alternative)

If automatic setup doesn't work, you can manually edit the config file.

Step 1: Locate Claude Desktop Config

macOS/Linux: 

~/.config/claude/claude_desktop_config.json

Windows: 

%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

Step 2: Edit Configuration

Add Kagura to the mcpServers section:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kagura-memory": {
      "command": "kagura",
      "args": ["mcp", "serve"],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}

Full example: 

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kagura-memory": {
      "command": "kagura",
      "args": ["mcp", "serve"],
      "env": {}
    },
    "other-server": {
      "command": "other-command",
      "args": ["serve"]
    }
  }
}

Step 3: Restart Claude Desktop

Close and reopen Claude Desktop to apply changes.

✅ Verify Integration

Method 1: Ask Claude

Start a new conversation in Claude Desktop and try:

You: "Remember that I prefer Python over JavaScript for backend projects"

Claude will use the memory_store tool to save this.

You: "What programming languages do I prefer?"

Claude will use memory_recall or memory_search to retrieve the information.

Method 2: Check Diagnostics

kagura mcp doctor

Look for: 

Claude Desktop │ ✅ configured │ Kagura MCP server configured

🧠 Available Memory Tools

Once integrated, Claude has access to these memory tools:

Core Tools

Tool Purpose Example
memory_store Save information "Remember X"
memory_recall Get by key "What did I say about Y?"
memory_search Semantic search "Find memories about Z"
memory_list List all memories "What do you remember about me?"
memory_feedback Mark useful/outdated Automatic
memory_delete Forget information "Forget about X"

Memory Scopes

  • working: Temporary, session-only (default)
  • persistent: Saved to disk, survives restart

Example Interactions

Store persistent memory:

"Remember that my favorite Python library is FastAPI. This is important and should be persistent."

Search memories:

"What do you know about my coding preferences?"

Feedback (automatic):

Claude automatically marks memories as "useful" when they help answer your questions.

Delete:

"Forget about my old JavaScript preference"

🔍 Troubleshooting

Claude Desktop doesn't see Kagura tools

Check 1: Verify installation 

kagura mcp doctor

Check 2: Restart Claude Desktop - Quit Claude Desktop completely - Reopen it - Start a new conversation

Check 3: Check logs 

# Claude Desktop logs (macOS)
tail -f ~/Library/Logs/Claude/mcp*.log

"kagura command not found"

Solution: Use full path in config

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kagura-memory": {
      "command": "/full/path/to/kagura",
      "args": ["mcp", "serve"]
    }
  }
}

Find full path: 

which kagura
# Output: /home/user/.local/bin/kagura

Memory not persisting across conversations

Cause: Using scope="working" (default)

Solution: Explicitly use scope="persistent"

Or tell Claude:

"Remember this permanently: I prefer Python"

🚫 Uninstall

To remove Kagura from Claude Desktop:

kagura mcp uninstall

This removes the configuration but does not delete your stored memories.

Version: 4.0.0a Last updated: 2025-10-26